Norton’s BRK Sale Marks Turn Toward Bonds & Conservative Gains

Rep. Eleanor Holmes Norton’s latest financial disclosure points to an ongoing reduction in her long-held position in Berkshire Hathaway, reflecting a steady, calculated move away from equities and toward conservative income-focused assets.

Holmes Norton first disclosed buying Berkshire Hathaway Class B shares in August 2016, investing between $100,001 and $250,000 at around $150 per share. At the time, Warren Buffett’s conglomerate was riding a wave of optimism in the financial services sector, and her purchase aligned with Berkshire’s reputation as a stable, long term wealth compounder.

Since then, her filings show a pattern of gradual profit taking. Beginning in 2024, she executed a series of sales, trimming portions of her Berkshire holdings in April, August, and March 2025, followed by the most recent sale on October 14, 2025. Each transaction, ranging between $1,001 and $50,000, took place through her Merrill Lynch subholding, suggesting professional management rather than personal trading decisions.

By the time of her latest sale, Berkshire’s Class B stock had soared to nearly $492, more than triple its 2016 level, a gain of over 230%. While it is unclear whether these recent sales mark a full exit, the continued reduction signals a thoughtful unwinding of a long-term position at a time when the stock remains near record highs.

Beyond equities, Holmes Norton’s broader investment pattern underscores her cautious financial strategy. Her portfolio features consistent activity in municipal bonds, low-risk instruments tied to public infrastructure and community development. Over the past decade, she has engaged in multiple bond purchases and redemptions with issuers such as the District of Columbia, the State of Washington, and the Virginia Resources Authority, reflecting a preference for steady yield and capital security.

Together, these transactions paint the portrait of a legislator with a professionally managed, risk-averse portfolio. Holmes Norton’s steady reduction in Berkshire Hathaway, coupled with her long-standing focus on municipal securities, showcases an investment approach centered on preservation, income, and measured growth rather than speculation.

Holmes Norton’s latest sale doesn’t close the Berkshire chapter just yet but it clearly signals that the winding down is well underway.